Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees tonight (Friday) recognizing Kherson and Zaporizhia as independent regions. The orders state that Russia recognizes the independence of Kherson and Zaporizhia “based on the norms and principles of international law and the rights to equality and self-determination, as enshrined in the UN Charter.” This is a final step before signing the treaty that annexes to Russia the four occupied Ukrainian regions – Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson, which, according to the Kremlin’s announcement, will take place today in the afternoon in Moscow.
On Tuesday, Moscow claimed that an overwhelming majority of the residents of the four districts in eastern Ukraine voted in the referendum in favor of annexing them to Russia. The official Russian news agency “RIA Novosti” reported that in three districts – Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson – the rate of support for annexation reached more than 90% and in the fourth district – Donetsk – it stands at 87%.